The use of vacuum and pressure in the plastics industry:
The manufacture of machines is closely bound up with the production and processing of plastics. Plastics manufacturers develop and produce optimized plastics for a variety of purposes. From these, the processor makes high quality products which are used in almost every industrial sector, from the automotive industry and telecommunications to the processed foods industry. Machine manufacturers are the technical link between production and processing. They produce the tools and machines which are required to convert the raw material into a plastic sheet, an electrical cable or a car bumper.

Contact-free turning of plastic filmPlastic film is turned on turning bars. Turning bars are perforated pipes through which air is blown to create air cushions the plastic film can glide across without coming into contact with the surface.

Cooling and drying of extruded plasticsThe material leaving the extruder is very hot and must be cooled immediately, either by means of compressed air or with water. In the latter case, side channel blowers are used to blow dry the plastics.

Degassing extruders
In the case of recycled material, vacuum pumps remove air inclusions, moisture and adhesives from the molten plastic. They extract all the low-molecular substances in order to obtain the optimum quality, i.e. a smooth surface, high strength, better insulation properties and a lower out gassing rate, resulting in recyclable material which achieves the same level as new material.

DryersPlastic granules are subjected to varying temperatures in storage and when being transported. Through the condensation of the atmospheric humidity on the surface of the granules, moisture may be absorbed by capillary action, depending on the time of year, the weather conditions and the type of plastic involved. For high quality end-products, the maximum limits for moisture in the granules must not be exceeded. In basic systems, drying is performed by hot air dryers, while more efficient plants employ dry air dryers. In the latter case (and by contrast with hot air drying), the processing air is carried in a closed circuit and is directed through the material (granules or powder) for the purpose of drying it. A dehumidifier (molecular sieve), positioned in the return airflow, removes the moisture in the atmosphere. In this way, a constant flow of pre-dried air is always available in the approach to the dry silo. The air is conveyed by a blower. Most modern dryers have two drying agent containers so that the processor need not interrupt the drying process in order to regenerate the moisture-laden drying agent. Regeneration is likewise performed by a blower.

EPS-Foaming
Pre-expanded polystyrene beads are first blown into a mould by a side channel blower and then pressurized with steam. Finally, they are polymerized and “baked“ into moulded parts. To prevent deformations during this process the parts must be cooled. A vacuum applied to these parts ensures that they retain their shape and that the water evaporates in a flash. The heat necessary for the evaporation process is drawn out of mould and work piece, thereby speeding up cooling.

Generation of compressed air for plastic welding
Plastic welding requires hot air with a temperature of 200 – 300°C which is produced by heating cartridges. Afterwards, the air is accelerated by a side channel blower and discharged through the welding nozzle.

Granule conveying systemsPlastic presses and extruders are automatically fed with the aid of blower or vacuum pumps. A distinction is made between conveying by means of a vacuum and by means of pressure. In the former case, a blower generates a partial vacuum in the material container and the granules are carried along with the air flowing through the hose line. A filter prevents the granules from penetrating into the side channel blower or vacuum pump. More elaborate pressurized conveying systems consist of a compressor blower, a material storage tank, a pressurized conveyor tank (or cellular wheel sluice) with a push-type material feeder and, at the end of the conveying line, a container with dust-collecting filter.